Conservation Tips

Capture tap water. While you wait for hot water to come down the pipes, catch the flow in a watering can to use later on house plants or your garden. You may save 200 to 300 gallons per month.

Don't run the hose while washing your car. Use a bucket of water and a quick hose rinse at the end. You may save 150 gallons each time. For a two-car family that's up to 1,200 gallons a month.

Don't use your toilet as an ashtray or wastebasket. You may save 400 to 600 gallons per month.

Don't water the sidewalks, driveway or gutter. Adjust your sprinklers so that water lands on your lawn or garden where it belongs--and only there. You may save 500 gallons per month.

Fix leaky faucets and plumbing joints. You may save 20 gallons per day for every leak stopped.

Install water-saving shower heads or flow restrictors. You may save 500 to 800 gallons per month.

Run only full loads in the washing machine and dishwasher. You may save 300 to 800 gallons per month.

Shorten your showers. Even a one or two minute reduction may save up to 700 gallons per month.

Use a broom instead of a hose to clean driveways and sidewalks. You may save 150 gallons or more each time. At once a week, that's more than 600 gallons a month.

Water your lawn only when it needs it. Step on your grass. If it springs back when you lift your foot, it doesn’t need water. So set your sprinklers for more days in between watering. You may save 750-1,500 gallons per month!